GIVING BACK
Everybody has the power to make a difference.
“We live in a world of infinite possibilities and opportunities to share and give back appear all the time. My thing has always been sports, and I use this avenue to raise awareness to issues that are close to my heart.”
— Olivier Baillet
Swimming around Lantau Island for Plastic Free Seas
Plastic Free Seas is a Hong Kong-based environmental charity focused on changing the way we all view and use plastics in society today, through education and action campaigns. In 2014, my friend and coached swimmer Bruce Pye and myself swam around Lantau Island, the largest island in Hong Kong, and help raise money and awareness for the plastic issue in Hong Kong. The swim was over 75km long and we swam over 15k every day for 5 days. This feat had never been done before, and was never repeated after. We landed on the front page of the main newspaper in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post and helped raise the profile of the charity, as well as money to fund projects for school students.
Helping Splash expansion and voluntary swim coaching
Splash is a charity that teaches swimming to people in Hong Kong who don’t normally have access to or the means for swimming lessons. I helped Splash to expand by obtaining free pool access times in my neighborhood at the time (Discovery Bay) and being one of the coaches for their swim program there
Plant-Powered Athlete T-shirt
We all know how damaging to the planet the industrial meat and fish industry is. I know that one of the hurdles for more athletes to eat less meat is the fear of lacking protein and create imbalances. I looked online for a T-shirt that would be a bit provocative, showing that you can eat a plant-based diet and be strong, and couldn’t find one. So… I created it. I wore it at every race and posted it on social media. I sold a few until my stock finished. I’m ready to re-print if there is interest.
When I choose a cause, knowing that the time I spend on it will be taken away from my usual course of business and that I am a one-man company, it is a big thing for me.
If you would be interested in collaborating, please get in touch.